If you’ve ever tasted a beautifully soft, tangy, and irresistibly smooth frosting, you might have been enjoying a classic that every baker swears by: this Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. It strikes the perfect balance between rich cream cheese and sweet powdered sugar, making it the ultimate topping for cakes, cupcakes, and more. Whether you’re decorating for a special occasion or just craving something sweet, this frosting will elevate your baked goods with its luscious texture and bright flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a crucial role, whether it’s the creamy base, the hint of vanilla, or the sweetness from powdered sugar, creating that perfect frosting you love.
- Unsalted Butter (½ cup / 1 stick): Softened butter provides a rich, creamy foundation and helps achieve that smooth, spreadable texture.
- Cream Cheese (8 oz): Use brick-style, softened cream cheese for tangy flavor and velvety consistency, ensuring no lumps in your frosting.
- Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Adds a warm and fragrant undertone that complements the cream cheese beautifully.
- Salt (¼ teaspoon): Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and enhance all the flavors.
- Powdered Sugar (4 cups): The star sweetener that bulk ups the frosting and creates that perfect fluffy finish.
How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Cream Butter and Cream Cheese
Start by placing your softened butter and cream cheese into the bowl of a stand mixer, or grab your hand mixer. Beat them together until they meld into a luscious, lump-free cream. This is the base that gives your frosting that dreamy texture.
Step 2: Add Vanilla and Salt
Next, mix in the vanilla extract and a touch of salt. These ingredients might seem small but they’re essential for adding depth, enhancing the natural tang of the cream cheese and rounding out the flavor perfectly.
Step 3: Gradually Incorporate Powdered Sugar
With your mixer on low speed, slowly pour in the powdered sugar. This gradual addition helps you avoid a sugar cloud and ensures the sugar fully blends in, resulting in a smooth, fluffy frosting that’s not too sweet.
Step 4: Frost & Enjoy
Once combined, your frosting is ready to use! Spread it generously on completely cooled cakes or cupcakes for that irresistible finishing touch that everyone will crave.
How to Serve Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
Add some extra pizzazz by garnishing your frosted treats with fresh berries, chopped nuts, or a sprinkle of cinnamon. These little additions complement the tanginess of the cream cheese frosting and bring fresh textures to each bite.
Side Dishes
This Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe pairs perfectly with moist carrot cake, red velvet cupcakes, spice cakes, or even simple vanilla cupcakes. Just imagine biting into that perfect combo of crumb and frosting!
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, pipe your frosting with a star tip to create elegant swirls or dollops. You can even use food coloring to tint the frosting or fold in small bits of zest or chocolate chips to customize it your way.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftover frosting, keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. It will maintain its creamy texture for up to one week, making it easy to frost freshly baked treats whenever the craving hits.
Freezing
Yes, you can freeze cream cheese frosting! Place it in a freezer-safe container, leaving a little room for expansion. Frozen frosting lasts up to three months. When ready, thaw it overnight in the fridge for the best texture.
Reheating
When you want to use your frozen or refrigerated frosting, bring it to room temperature and give it a quick whip with a hand mixer. This refreshes the fluffiness and makes spreading or piping effortlessly smooth again.
FAQs
Can I make this Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe vegan?
Traditional cream cheese and butter are dairy products, but you can substitute vegan cream cheese and dairy-free butter alternatives to make a vegan version. Keep in mind that texture and flavor may vary slightly.
How thick should the frosting be?
The frosting should be thick enough to hold its shape when spread or piped but still soft enough to spread easily. If it feels too thick, stir in a teaspoon of milk or cream to loosen it a bit.
Can I use regular sugar instead of powdered sugar?
Powdered sugar is essential here because it dissolves smoothly, giving the frosting its signature fluffy texture. Using regular granulated sugar will result in a gritty and unpleasant consistency.
Why is my frosting too runny?
This usually happens if the cream cheese or butter was too warm or melted. Make sure both are softened, not melted, and chill the frosting briefly if needed before using.
How long does this frosting stay fresh on a cake?
Cream cheese frosting is best enjoyed within 2 to 3 days when stored in the fridge. Beyond that, it may start to lose its fresh taste and texture, so keep that in mind if you’re prepping for a big event.
Final Thoughts
I cannot recommend enough giving this Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe a try. It’s simple, reliable, and absolutely delicious—perfect for weekend baking sessions or last-minute celebrations. Once you master this frosting, all your cakes and cupcakes will thank you with every bite!
Print
Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Frosting
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This creamy and smooth Cream Cheese Frosting recipe is perfect for cakes and cupcakes, offering a rich and tangy sweetness with a velvety texture. Made with softened butter and brick-style cream cheese, enhanced with vanilla and just a hint of salt, it combines perfectly with powdered sugar for an irresistible finish.
Ingredients
Frosting Ingredients
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened (113g)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened (brick-style, not spreadable) (226g)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 cups powdered sugar (500g)
Instructions
- Prepare Butter and Cream Cheese: Combine the softened unsalted butter and cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer or an electric mixer. Beat them together until the mixture is creamy, well-combined, and free of lumps, ensuring a smooth base for the frosting.
- Add Flavoring: Add the vanilla extract and salt to the creamy butter and cream cheese mixture. Stir well to evenly incorporate these ingredients, which enhance the frosting’s flavor profile.
- Incorporate Powdered Sugar: With the mixer running on low speed, gradually add the powdered sugar to the mixture. Continue mixing until the sugar is completely combined into a smooth and fluffy frosting, adjusting speed as necessary to avoid powder flying out.
- Use Frosting: Apply the prepared cream cheese frosting to cakes or cupcakes that have completely cooled, spreading or piping it as desired for a beautiful and delicious finish.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese and butter are softened to room temperature to avoid lumps and achieve a smooth texture.
- Powdered sugar can be sifted before adding to avoid clumps in the frosting.
- This frosting is best used immediately but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; bring to room temperature and re-whip before using.
- Adjust the sweetness by adding a bit more or less powdered sugar according to taste preferences.
